Puzzle.



No. 854,719. PATENTED MAY 28, 1907,

G. A. DAVIS.

PUZZLE. APPLIOATION FILED FEB.4,1907.

witnesses W atto'nnkqo us ca, wuwnvarcn o c UNITED STATES PATENT oEEIoE.

PUZZLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 28, 1907.

Application filed February 4,1907. Serial No. 355,643-

To all whom it may concern.-

Beit known that I, GEORGE A. DAVIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Puzzles, of which the following is a s eciiication.

This invention relates to the c ass of game apparatus embodying a base, or support, and objects movable thereon by tilting of the base in various directions from the horizontal to direct the movable objects into certain predetermined positions.

The present invention rovides a device of the character set forth W ch embodies a series of pockets, or cells, grouped about a central point and in each of which a marble, or like object is adapted to be received, the pockets, or'cells, being closed by means of a delicately poised gate, thereby preventing escape of the captive objects, or marbles.

The game is designated by the numeral 23 which will be suitably inscribed upon the base thereof, preferably in Roman-characters.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction and the means for effecting the result, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings.

While the invention may be adapted to different forms and conditions by changes in the structure and minor details without departing from the spirit or essential features thereof, still the preferred embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a puzzle embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof, showing the marbles held captive in the cells, or pockets. Fig. 3 is a central vertical section of the puzzle.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The base 1 is preferably circular in form and is provided with an inclosing rim 2, the same having an inner flange 3 at its upper edge to overlap a transparent cover 4 which is arranged parallel with the base and spaced some distance therefrom, the purpose being to prevent loss of the marbles and tampering with the gate. A series of cells 5 are arranged equidistant about the outer edge portion of the base and adjacent to the rim 2, said cells being open at the side facing toward the center of the base and closed upon all other sides. While any number of cells, or pockets 5, may be provided, yet it is preferred to employ three only, each being distinguished by the numeral 1 which is imprinted upon the base at the bottom of the cell, or pocket, the numerals being in Roman characters. The central portion of the base and the portions corresponding to the bot toms of the cells, or pockets, are of a like color which differs from the color of the sector portions arranged between the cells, or ockets. The center field of the base is designated by the numeral 20 in Roman charactors and when taken in connection with the three numerals of the cells, or pockets, indicates and suggests the title of the puzzle which as stated hereinbefore, is 23. The cells, or pockets, are formed by U-shaped pieces of sheet material having their lower ends set into cuts formed in the top side of the base, said cells being retained in place by means of the cover 4 which rests thereon.

A post 6 is set into the center portion of the base and is reduced at its upper end as shown at 7 to form a shoulder at the base of the re duced portion upon which the gate 8 is poised. The gate 8 is of circular outline and of a diameter approximating the circular field about which the cells, or pockets 5 are grouped so as to close the open sides of said cells and hold the marbles captive. The transparent cover 4 touches the extremity of the reduced end 7 of the post 6, thereby preventing displacement of the gate therefrom in the ordinary handling of the puzzle. The gate is a light structure and is of circular outline and consists of a rim and a spider, the rim having openings 9 which correspond in number and position with the open sides of the cells, or pockets 5 to admit of the ingress and egress of the marbles from said cells. The arms 10 of the spider branch at their outer ends so as to span the openings 9 and connect the portions of the rim, or gate bordering upon the openings 9. The center of the spider is pierced to receive the reduced end 7 and is adapted to rest upon the shoulder formed at the base of said reduced end. The gate when mounted is poised upon the post 6 so as to turn freely thereon by manipulation of the base and the marbles placed thereon. The component parts of the gate, such as the rim and spider, are of integral formation, being formed by pressing a piece of sheet material into box form, and at the same time cutting away portions to provide openings 9 in the rim and the openings in the closed end to form the arms of the spider. V

The purpose of the puzzle is to cause each marble 11 to enter a cell, or pocket, and to hold the same captive by moving the gate so as to close the open side of the cell. This result is effected by deft manipulation of the base either by tilting, or jarring the same, or by a combintion of movements according as the skill of the person may determine.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A puzzle comprising a base, open-sided cells grouped about a central point of the base, objects as marbles arranged upon the base and adapted to enter the said cells, and a rotary gate poised upon a central support and adapted to close the open sides of the cells and hold the objects captive therein.

2. A puzzle comprising a base, peripheral cells mounted upon the base and opening toward the center, and a central rotary gate poised upon a central support and adapted to close the cells and hold the objects captive.

3. A puzzle comprising a base, a rim projected upward from the base, peripheral cells mounted upon the base within the said rim and opening toward the center, a central rotary gate poised upon a central support and adapted to close the open sides of the cells, and objects as marbles mounted upon the base and adapted to enter the cells and to be held captive therein by means of said rotary gate. i 4. A puzzle comprising a base provided with peripheral cells projected upward therefrom and having openings facing inward, objects as marbles arranged upon the base and adapted to enter the cells, and a rotary gate poised upon a central support and comprising a splder and a rim, the latter having opemngs to admit of ingress and egress of the objects from the space inclosed by said gate.

5. A puzzle comprisin a base, a rim projected from the base, peripheral cells mounted upon the base and having openings facing mward, a center post, a cover resting upon the post and cells and retained in place by means of the aforementioned rim, objects as marbles arranged upon the base and adapted to enter the cells, and a rotary gate comprising a rim and a spider poised upon the aforesaid post, the rim having openings to admit of ingress and egress of the objects, and the arms of the spider having their outer ends branched and spanning the spaces formed between the separate parts of the rim.

6. The herein described puzzle comprising a circular base having its center and outer portions of contrasting color, a rim encircling the base and having an inner flange at its outer edge, peripheral cells disposed equidistant about the outer portions of the base and having openings facing inward, a centrally disposed post having its upper end re duced, a transparent cover resting upon the post and cells, objects as marbles arranged upon the base and adapted to enter the cells thereof and a rotary gate poised upon the said post and comprising a rim and a spider, the rim having openings in its sides corre sponding in number and position to the said cells and adapted to hold the objects captive therein.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE A. DAVIS. 

